Bilora Radix used a different system for dealing with 35mm film

The German Bilora company made its first film camera around 1935 and, over the next 20 years, a huge variety of snapshot-type models were churned out. The first Radix appeared in 1949 and within a year about ten different variations had been introduced. This one is the Radix 35SH, more sophisticated than most because it offers five shutter speeds.

Top view of the Radix showing its simple-to-use controls

This is a chunky little camera measuring just 11.5×5.5x5cm and weighing an unexpectedly heavy 500 grams. It uses 35mm film, but not as you know it. In 1937, Agfa developed a new system of film loading and winding, used in the company’s Karat cameras. Two cassettes were involved, one full, the other empty. With the cassettes loaded, one on each side of the body, the camera’s wind mechanism then pulled film out of one cassette and pushed it into the other. In this way, Agfa’s Karat cameras shot 12 exposures in the traditional 35mm format of 24x36mm. The Radix uses the same twin cassette system to shoot 16 exposures of 24x24mm.

Use a darkroom or changing bag to load one of the cassettes with standard 35mm film and the camera is still workable today.

Inside the camera with the back removed along with its twin-cassette film system

Film wind on the Radix is by a short-stroke lever on the back of the body and the shutter is released by a serrated lever with four sharp teeth that slides sideways along the top plate. There must be quite a hefty spring involved because the action needs a surprising amount of pressure and tends to leave fingers imprinted with a series of tooth marks.

The shutter speed knob on the front of the camera rotates to offer 1/2–1/200sec, and the cable release socket is in a strange place on one end of the body. At the opposite end, two flash synch sockets are marked ‘X’ for electronic and ‘F’ for flashbulbs. Apertures run f/3.5-16 and the lens focuses from 5ft to infinity.

The Radix is a sometimes strange but nevertheless likeable little camera that will appeal to users and collectors alike.